(HARRISON COUNTY, MS)
Blue ribbons, blue banners, even blue outfits. Pineville Elementary was decked out in blue on October 25, 2019, as the school hosted a community National Blue Ribbon School celebration. Harrison County School District leaders and other invited guests gathered in the school gym to recognize Pineville Elementary’s remarkable achievement.
“I was blessed to be able to be here the day it was announced and the excitement was unbelievable! With over 800 and something schools in the state of Mississippi, and to be recognized with this distinguished honor. It is very, very difficult to be selected, and Pineville has done an outstanding job,” said HCSD Superintendent Roy Gill.
Pineville Elementary Principal Laura Ditcharo recognized her students, teachers and staff for their hard work and dedication to the school’s academic success. Pineville is a Mississippi A-rated school, and is currently ranked 6th in the state.
Mr. Gill presented a plaque to Mrs. Ditcharo and her administrative team, saying “This National Blue Ribbon plague will hang in the halls of Pineville, and it will forever recognize Pineville as one of the distinguished schools, not only here, not only in the state of Mississippi, but all across this country. Out of thousands and thousands of schools, Pineville is one of the most distinguished schools in our nation. It will be put, not only Pineville, but Harrison County on the map of the United States.”
Student representatives and teachers took turns explaining what makes Pineville a National Blue Ribbon School.
“We go home, we talk about the students. When we are with our families, we are thinking about the students. The students are the reason why we are a Blue Ribbon School. One of our students said we make them our top priority in education. That’s true in the sense that we make their lives our top priority. We want them to be successful in years to come,” said 5th and 6th grade ELA/Social Studies Teacher Ashley Hicks.
“I tell my students daily how much they are loved. And every teacher on this campus loves their students. Every teacher on this campus gives everything they’ve got. That’s what makes a Blue Ribbon School is when the teachers really care.”
Pineville Elementary teachers and staff were also recognized before the Harrison County School Board on October 21, 2019.
You can watch the WLOX story here: https://www.wlox.com/2019/10/25/pineville-elementary-celebrates-national-blue-ribbon-award/
You can watch the WXXV preview story here: https://www.wxxv25.com/2019/10/24/national-blue-ribbon-school-celebration/
You can watch the WXXV story here: https://www.wxxv25.com/2019/10/25/pineville-elementary-named-2019-national-blue-ribbon-school/